attest

1
as in to certify
to declare (something) to be true or genuine the appraiser attests that the lamp is indeed an original Tiffany

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact an eyewitness who will attest to my innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attest are certify, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

When would certify be a good substitute for attest?

The words certify and attest can be used in similar contexts, but certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When could vouch be used to replace attest?

The meanings of vouch and attest largely overlap; however, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When is witness a more appropriate choice than attest?

Although the words witness and attest have much in common, witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attest Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn The lone-wolf hero is a familiar figure in crime fiction, but two new books by Deanna Raybourn and Juan Gómez-Jurado attest to the advantages of collaboration. Lisa Henricksson, airmail.news, 8 Mar. 2025 Robot backflips are becoming commonplace, but a front flip is significantly more difficult than a backflip, as any gymnast can attest. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025 Three successive passes in close proximity, which could have caused the drone to lose control, attesting to a desire to restrict free air movement in common areas. Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 Lee can attest to the sneaker’s comfort, having climbed 49 flights of stairs during a show at a stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • Key features: Solar safe filter technology protects eyes from IR, UV, and 99.99% of visible light, CE and ISO certified, model number ‏MK7062.
    Paul Brett, Space.com, 20 Mar. 2025
  • All teachers working in adult education are certified Connecticut teachers who hold additional adult education certifications.
    Larry Covino, Hartford Courant, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • First responders later testified that Read tried to perform CPR on O'Keefe.
    Rachel Treisman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
  • The jury’s acquittals were unusual because the Justice Department rarely loses such cases in South Florida — recognized as the nation’s healthcare fraud capital — particularly those involving defendants like the three defendants who pleaded guilty and testified against the co-conspirators at trial.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Continue to fulfill your obligations and verify that those actions are properly recorded.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • The new requirements will impact anyone who needs to verify their bank information with the agency, as well as families with children who receive Social Security benefits and cannot verify a child's information on the SSA website.
    CBS News, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • However, the study found that these content licensing deals did not guarantee accurate citation in chatbot responses.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Starring in a Marvel film doesn't guarantee you a spot on the Avengers' roster.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Three days later, his immigration attorney was able to reach an ICE official who confirmed that his client was in a prison in another country.
    Brian Bennett, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025
  • The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has confirmed Jung Hanseok will be its new festival director.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After affirming his commitment to cooperating with the investigation, protecting Jewish students and protecting free speech, Wood referenced the protest.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025
  • At the same time with all of this, box office sources, not just Disney, affirm that Snow White played evenly across the country.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 23 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Current Social Science Research Approaches Are Limited For decades, Lahlou argues, the social sciences and their applications in fields as diverse as marketing and industrial psychology have focused primarily on individual psychology and interpersonal dynamics.
    Benjamin Voyer, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
  • Some Democrats, including potential 2028 presidential contenders Rahm Emanuel and California Gov. Gavin Newsom, argue that the party needs to moderate or focus less on such issues.
    Alex Thompson, Axios, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Reporters for The Associated Press in Beirut heard a loud boom and witnessed smoke rising from an area in the city's southern suburbs that Israel's military had vowed to strike.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2025
  • Associated Press reporters in Beirut heard a loud boom and witnessed smoke rising from the area in Beirut’s southern suburbs that Israel’s military had vowed to strike.
    Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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